Spring construction



Dec. 22, 1931.

G. l. NEWMAN ET AL 1,837,335

SPRING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 1.4, 1928 George Newwzan Lawrence A. New

(EVEN 2:17.75.

so that the springs are Patented Dec. 22, 1931 I unrrn STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE I. NEWMAN ANZD LAWRENCE A. NEW, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS '10 UNITED SPRING CORPQRATION, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF SPRING CONSTRUCTION Application filed. May 14, 1928. Serial No. 277,417.

; tions of such wires or strips so thatdownward pressure onsuch units cannot extend such peripheral portions laterally.

In such construction the strips have been riveted together where they cross each other held in the desired angular relationship with respect to each other by friction alone.

Further the retaining ring was secured tothe strips by clips which were held in place on the ring by friction.

In practice it has been found that this frictional engagement is insuflicient to maintain the springs in proper angular'relationship.

The principal object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide means for positively retaining the spring strips in proper angular relationship.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and the following specification.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a spring unit constructed in accordance with the present invention.

'Figure 2 is a perspective View of the central spacing member.

Figure 3 is a section on the line TIL-III of Figure 1.

. Figure l is a perspective view of one of the retaining ring clamps and adjacent portions '1 of the ring.

Figure 5 is a section on the line VV of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a ring and adjacent parts of and outer frame.

plan view of the retaining ad oining rings Figure 7 is a section through one of the clamps connecting one of the retaining rings to the outer frame.

Figure 8 is a section on the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a section on the line IXIX of Figure 7 i As shown on the drawings:

The spring units are formed of four strips of clock spring steel 1 bent into circular form so that their ends overlap. The overlapping ends of all the four strips are riveted together at 2 as are also the diametrically opposite portions of the strips where they cross each other.

, These clock spring circles are arranged at about 45 from each other so that they are symmetrically arranged with respect the vertical axis of the unit passingthrough the upper and lower rivets. To retain the springs in proper angular relationship spacing members 3 are provided which are of sheet metal slit along radial lines with the margins of each slit turned over to form arms l having inwardly directed flanges 5 along each side. These flangesengage the sidesof the spring strips 1, as shown in Figure 3, and positively prevent any change in the relative positions of the spring strips. The same rivets 2 which hold the spring strips together also clamps the spacing members3 to the strips.

The flattened or oblate spheroidal form is produced by spreading the spring circles laterally by means of a peripherally arranged wire ring 6 which is clamped to the spring strips by clips or connectors 7 (Figure 4). These clips are stamped of sheet metal and consist of a centrally located tab 8 bent over the ring 6, laterally extending wings 9 adapted to be bent around the margins of the adjacent spring strip and upwardly and downwardly extending wings 10. The latter are curved inwardly somewhat and are provided for the purpose of preventing the spring strips being bent beyond their elastic limit at their point of greatest fleXure, viz; where they contact with the peripheral wire 6. To prevent the clips 7 sliding along the wires 6 the portions of the wires 6 engaged thereby are ofiset so that shoulders or bends 1 in the wire are formed on either side of the encircling tabs 8.

The spring units in a complete mattress are connect-ed together where the "peripheral wires 6 of adjacent units contact as indicated in Figure 6. At the points of connection the wires 6 are offset at 15 to prevent sliding movement of the wires relatively to the connecting bands or clips, which may be similar in construction to that shown in Figure 9.

Around the outer margin of the spring assembly is an outer wire frame 11 clamped to the peripheral wires 6 by bands or clips 12. The ends of each of the wires 6 may be connected by bending the tips inwardly and encircling 'them'with'bands or clips 13.

We are aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and we therefore do not purposelimiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

l Ve claim as our invention:

1. A spring unit comprising a plurality of elliptical spring steel strips having overlapping ends and a common vertical axis where the ends overlap, a central spacing member, a rivet on said axis clamping the overlapping ends of the strips together and to said spacing member, and radially extending arms on said spacing member having downwardly extending flanges engaging the sides of each of the spring steel strips to maintain a fixed angular relationship therebetween.

2. A'spring unit comprising a plurality of elliptical spring mem ers having overlapping ends and a common vertical axis where the ends overlap, a peripherally arranged ring, and clips securing said members to said to ring to prevent lateral outward movement of the peripheral portions of said members, the portions of the ring adjacent the clips being bent to form shoulders for holding the clips in position on the ring. 7

3. A spring unit comprising a central space ing member anda plurality of spring strips having overlapping ends fastened to said central spacing member by a single fastening member-,said spacing member having radial arms, downwardly extending flanges on said arms engaging the sides of said spring members, a peripheral ring, clips connecting the ring and the spring members, and said ring having shoulders thereon to prevent movement of said clips along the same.

4. A spring'unit comprising a plurality of separate elliptical spring steel strips disposed about a common vertical axis, the ends of said strips being overlapped, a spacing member engaging the ends of said strips,n1eans for securing the ends of said strips to said member,'and a peripheral ring connected to said strips, said ring and member conjointly mainseparate elliptical spring steel strips disposed about a common vertical axis, the ends of said strips being overlapped, a central spacer plate hating radially extending grooves open on their under side for receiving the end portions of said strips, said grooves restraining said strips against relative angular move ment, and means for securing said spacer plate and overlapped ends together.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names GEORGE I. N EXVMAN LAVVRENOE A. NEW. 

